"TrekPod Go" Any good?

[DavidJT]

Anyone used one of these? Basically its a trekking pole (with cork pommel), monopod, and sort of tripod combined....

http://www.trek-tech.com/archived/photo%20albums/TrekPoddinginOneotaGorgeOr/images/pod_5526.jpg

http://www.trek-tech.com/content/movies/lossless/TrekPod_nature_photography.mpg

Initial thoughts are..
1: Expensive
2: Whilst my G10 would be OK, I wouldn't trust my SLR on the magnetic grip, although it also has a traditional screw thread, so could use a different head.
3: Tripod function wouldn't work well on uneven ground.
4: How strong are they e.g. could it be used as a bivy pole?
5: Don't normal hike with a trekking pole, so weight wise, may be better off with another solution.

By the way, if you only have a lightweight compact camera, how about a 1lt mineral water bottle, and one of these...

http://www.vat19.com/dvds/bottle-cap-tripod.cfm

Could be an interesting project to try and adapt one of these to fit the top of my Swiss Army Ali bottle?

No connection to the above companies etc

 

[philaw]

I spent ages choosing my tripod and remember reading things from some people about how cheaper tripods can make your pictures worse because they move so much. I wouldn't trust one of those tall things to be stable.

I bet that one of those mini table-top ones would be more stable than the bottle-top one, but another option is to unscrew a tripod head, put a bolt in the top of a walking stick and make your own.

 

[alpha_centaur]

There's also a thing called a monopod that is similar to a trekking pole, these will give you the ability to shoot down to about a second or so.

I have had a couple of these. the first weghed a ton so was replaced with one that was more trekking pole than monopod, this one worked a treat, cant remember the brand though.

 

[DavidJT]

There's also a thing called a monopod that is similar to a trekking pole, these will give you the ability to shoot down to about a second or so.

I have had a couple of these. the first weghed a ton so was replaced with one that was more trekking pole than monopod, this one worked a treat, cant remember the brand though.

This Is a monopod, and a trekking pole and (sort of) a tripod.
I agree, it's never going to be as good as a proper tripod, but it looks like an interesting lightweight compromise option. Just wondered if anyone has got one, or had any thoughts
Where's Wayland when we need him?!

 

[British Red]

I use a Leki walking pole that is threaded as a monopod. Its okay - but no Manfrotto

 

[Carbuncle]

This looks good at 25 of your fine english pounds
http://www.hitchnhike.co.uk/acatalog/exped_viewfinder.html

Just a quick google for "walking pole monopod" - a few came up.

 

[DavidJT]

I like the look (and price) of that Carbuncle. Light too. Found it here..
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=9482
Slightly cheaper (£23.75)
But could also do time exposures (with in reason) and pics of myself etc with the TrekPod.